Horsepowered vets on European fundraising tour

Vets with Horsepower is ‘getting together for good’ and preparing for its latest fundraising tour in June – Horsepower 2017. HEROS Charity is delighted to be one of the beneficiaries this year.

HORSEPOWER 2017 (Charity Registration No. SCO46720) involves senior specialist vets lead by Professor Derek Knottenbelt setting off on an endurance motorcycle lecture tour through Europe. The HORSEPOWER tours, to date, have raised more than £500,000 for equine and children's charities and has improved the quality of life of both people and horses and donkeys, leading to healthier and more productive lives.

Project leader Professor Emeritus Derek C Knottenbelt OBE, BVM&S, DVM&S, DipECEIM, MRCVS said: “The HORSEPOWER project has been instrumental in helping horses at home and abroad and we are very pleased to help HEROS Charity with our 2017 project (HORSEPOWER 7).

“HEROS does heroic and important work in restoring the dignity and value of ex-racehorses. They are not a disposable commodity and supporting projects that improve their welfare and dignity squarely fits the HORSEPOWER philosophy. We ask everyone to support us and in so doing help this year’s charities, which are all amazing and need help.”

The 2017 trip, from Friday June 23 to Saturday July 8, will take in Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland and will cover more than 3,200 miles in two weeks while making 10 lecture stops for local vets.

One member of the team is Jessica Kidd – a trustee of HEROS Charity as well as a keen motorcyclist and, of course, a vet. Jessica said: “HORSEPOWER started as a group of like-minded motorcycle-riding equine vets in 2010 and we are about to undertake our seventh tour. HORSEPOWER is a unique way to raise money to support equine and childrens’ charities while delivering quality CPD to vets around the world. It’s hard work physically and mentally but the satisfaction from the results cannot be underestimated.”

Funds are raised from sponsorship and through donations from kind and caring companies and individuals – donations that reduce overhead costs are vital.

HEROS Charity is proud of its trustee’s efforts and wishes Jessica and the rest of the team every success. You can track their progress via Facebook and pledge your support through JustGiving.

Over previous tours the HORSEPOWER team has racked up some impressive statistics…

Our Valued Supporters

We could not continue our valuable work without the support of our many friends and donors, including corporate sponsors. Without their support many HEROS Charity fundraising events would not be possible; we are grateful to our sponsors for the opportunity their support provides in enabling us to take our fundraising activities to a wider audience.